Viacom Spits on Mixed Martial Arts (feat. Rampage and Tito)

Griffin-Bonnar. Pure Mixed Martial Arts at it's best? No. But a hell of a lot of fun to watch? You know it.

That is where my love affair with MMA really began. I had seen some here or there growing up, the worlds of Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie, without understanding any of the ins and the outs of what made this sport. And I watched that first season of The Ultimate Fighter, more out of my love of reality television than anything else. There I found myself cheering, more against Josh Koscheck than for anyone specifically. When the finale came, Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar took my piqued interest and then made my head explode with their well documented war of attrition.

Two seasons of The Ultimate Fighter and a solid interest later, a coach/competitor trio of Tito Ortiz, Michael Bisping and Kendall Grove solidified MMA as one of my very favorite sports with the best season to date of the show.

That third season was seven years ago. Bisping has gone on to give me 2-3 heart attacks per fight since and I have continued to follow Grove move by move after his up/down UFC career ended.

And Tito Ortiz, the first ACTUAL fighter to enthrall me? He is currently a major player in the bastardizing of the sport he helped me grow to love. Why? No, not just because the aging Ortiz will take on the also aging, completely slower-than-his-prime Rampage Jackson this November. But mostly because last Thursday, on a live episode of TNA Impact Wrestling (yes, that is the “scripted” type of wrestling), Ortiz showed up....likely to begin an on-screen and scripted battle with dual entertainer Jackson, who is already been on Impact regularly now.

For most people, age in this future Bellator MMA pay per view main event is the biggest slap in the forehead factoid. For me, it is merely a turnoff. It isn't 2004 or 2005 or 2006 and nobody cares about Tito Ortiz fighting Rampage Jackson. I have always been a fan of both of them as fighters, but I also don't want to see Karl Malone go one-on-one with Scottie Pippen in 2013. It is going lack athleticism, they will either not engage or it will be the sloppiest fight ever, and they will both be gassed by the second round because you can't get your cardio very high when you are on the geriatric end of your professional sports career, regardless of the sport.

So forget a slap in the forehead. Age isn't the most disrespectful thing in play with this fight.

What is disrespectful is how Bjorn Rebney and the geniuses at Viacom have blurred the lines of this legitimate sport (growing and gaining more general appeal daily) and the male soap opera circus that is professional wrestling.

People, including Ortiz and Jackson, are often so critical of Dana White for a variety of reasons. But never has he really put the integrity of the sport in such limbo. With the possible exception of hiring Brock Lesnar after only one MMA fight, Dana is careful about who he brings in to fight in the UFC, what those people do while they are there and how they behave. He brought in James Toney, only to prove a point. But other than that, he has avoided making his brand and the sport a circus by avoiding pitfalls of “fighters” like wrestlers Dave Bautista and Bobby Lashley, an interested Shaquille O'Neal, an aged NFL-veteran in Herschel Walker and even (for the most part) the “hot-commodity” backyard brawler Kimbo Slice.

By not only allowing, but supporting and full-on promoting his fighters as professional wrestlers, Bjorn Rebney has not just blurred the line here, he has stomped and danced all over it.

I like professional wrestling to a degree. I have watched it since I was a little kid and still watch it on and off to this very day. But a bleach blonde surfer Sting to a reptilian-like Randy Orton don't match up in actual man-to-man combat with GSP or Jon Jones. I won't disrespect professional wrestlers by saying they aren't athletes. They are. But they are entertainers who are athletic, even if it is to a high degree. Professional wrestlers to mixed martial artists is like the cast of Coach Carter to the NBA.

Professional wrestling is fiction; it is Lost, it is Law and Order, it is General Hospital. And that is OK Rampage Jackson and Tito Ortiz wanting to participate in this medium is also OK It is no different than when Jackson portrayed B.A. Baracus in the A-Team movie.

But how any person can think it OK for them both to portray their professional wrestling characters building up for a fight AT THE SAME TIME they are building up for an actual fight, is completely ridiculous and I for one, as a MMA fan, am disgusted by it. And I'd love to blame Viacom. Look back at their history, they aren't very bright in general. And that is where Bellator's front man Bjorn Rebney, needs to put on his big boy pants and tell someone no.

But instead, he is locked up in a desperate attempt to make money, that he not only ignores that fact that his first pay per view will be headlined by two guys who haven't won a fight since Ortiz upset Ryan Bader TWO YEARS AGO. Two guys, who in fact, have gone 9-12-1 since Ortiz first captured my attention the aforementioned seven years ago. By the way, seven of those wins are Rampage's and he shouldn't have won his last two fights, boring decisions over Matt Hamill (Ortiz lost to him by the way) and Lyoto Machida (the king of losing questionable decisions). I don't expect Rebney to accept a fact that we all, outside of Bellator, know: sooner or later, Bellator will be Affliction, it will be Elite XC, it will be Strikeforce. This is reality and I know that. And I don't believe that Rebney should buy into that because when he actually does, will be the final straw in a demise that is likely in the grand scheme.

So go Bjorn Rebney and make money. But DO NOT disrespect a sport that you didn't even help build by blurring the lines and giving all of the MMA detractors more fodder by making it look like your professional fighting organization is fixed, whether that is really the case or not.

There are plenty of guilty parties involved, but in the end, Rebney, Ortiz and Jackson should know better. But because of their foolish attempts to make money and remain relevant, they are bastardizing and making a joke out of a sport that I, and millions of others, have grown to love. As much as Mixed Martial Arts has become the fastest growing sport across the globe in the last ten years, more stunts like this will force this beautiful sport to halt it's growth and make those detractors grow while supporters shrink. It is sad and it is going to affect everyone from War Machine and Ben Askren on Spike to Chael Sonnen and Junior Dos Santos on FOX, to the guys fighting down the road every third Saturday night, trying to feed their kids.

Seven years ago, Tito Ortiz found two other guys for his team that helped make me really love MMA. Today, he and two other “teammates” have found a way to make me question what the future of this sport will hold if they have their selfish ways. And it makes me sick

>2011 NBA Mock Draft

Mock Draft as of June 21, 2011

1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Kyrie Irving
> The Cavs clearly really wish that they could make a move to assure they can take Derrick Williams here, but the Timberwolves and Jazz have showed no signs that they would pass on Irving, despite having point guards in the fold. Irving is the only team changer in this draft, so with no guarantee he is around at 4, the Cavs have to take him here.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves - Derrick Williams
> It is a tough spot for Kahn and company moving forward. They have the pieces in place to try and grow right now, but will they next year? Next summer, Michael Beasley, Kevin Love and Anthony Randolph can move on if they want and the Timberwolves need to prepare for life without one or two of them. And while Kanter could replace their size the best, only Williams has the ability to replace their athleticism.

3. Utah Jazz - Brandon Knight
> The answer to this pick lies in whether the Jazz plan on trying to resign Ronnie Price and/or Earl Watson (or acquire another player in free agency) to deep their guard core deep. Devin Harris, Raja Bell and Gordon Hayward can't do it alone. Their biggest need will be to replace AK-47, but I think Kanter is too big of a gamble to bring in when there is a wing as talented as Knight on the board.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers - Enes Kanter
> I disagree with this pick because I don't see as much of an upside as other people do in Kanter. With that said, he is the 4th best choice in a draft that is no more than 5 people deep. I'd be tempted if I was running the show to take Jonas Valanciunas here as I think he will have more long term prospects. But in Cleveland, I think the goal is more to stop the bleeding now and everyone seems to think Kanter is more suited for that.

5. Toronto Raptors - Kemba Walker
> Toronto is not deep at all in guards and if Leandro Barbosa does decide to bail, you can't waste this pick on a foreign project player. Jonas, Jan and Bismack are all possibilities here, but in most cases, foreign = risk. Take the undersized speedy point here and hope he is the perfect accent to Demar Derozan.

6. Washington Wizards - Jonas Valanciunas
> John Wall needs another playmaker alongside of him on a team that is going to be completely rebuilt if Washington does things right. And while there are some athletic combos out there, logic dictates that a rebuilding Wizards that would lose Yi Jianian need a big man. Jonas is the best one in the draft overall, so Washington shouldn't be able to pass if he is still here.

7. Sacramento Kings - Jan Vesely
> The game changers are gone at this point for sure, so the Kings become the first team in a crapshoot that is going after who they believe to just be the best player on the board, almost regardless of who is the best fit for your team. Sacramento truly has too many holes to try and place the best fit here. Vesely is different than the previously picked Euro imports in this: Enes will help now, Jonas will help later...and Jan, well he's either going to be a huge star or monumental bust.

8. Detroit Pistons - Klay Thompson
> Talk about a rebuild. With McGrady, Price and Rip all likely out the door, the Pistons need to address needs in their guard depth in a draft primarily of 3's, 4's and 5's. That will be tough for this team who will really need to pass up on better players here to address specific needs. If Kemba Walker is still around, he is the pick, but I don't think he will be so they will need to take a gamble and move Thompson up the draft board.

9. Charlotte Bobcats - Kawhi Leonard
> With 12 free agents over the next two years, this wouldn't be a bad time for MJ's club to wipe the slate clean and come out new. If you do that, you have to think who can be a foundation like you once wanted Emeka Okafor to be. Let's just hope this pick turns out to be a little more lucrative.

10. Milwaukee Bucks - Marcus Morris
> Honestly, I think the Bucks need to trade out of this spot. It's a top-10 pick, which means they can get something strong out of it. They need depth that a couple more role players and/or a couple second round picks could help with more than taking anyone here that is left in the draft. If they keep it, Morris is the safe choice with Bismack Biyombo's stock going down some, even though the Bucks will be salivating over the Congo native if he is around.

11. Golden State Warriors - Bismack Biyombo
> Stock down or not, you have to take him here. Depending on what mock you look at, he's going somewhere between 8-21, which is a dangerous range. He is 18 and has a lot of growth in his future. He is a major gamble, but sometimes you have to take those risks.

12. Utah Jazz - Donatas Motiejunas
> This pick comes down to where Utah went early. If they went with Knight as I project, then you have to go big and that's where Motie, who has a tremendous long term upside, comes in. He has gone from a top 5 pick in most eyes to a borderline lottery pick, but that is only because of his need for development right now. If for some reason they went with Kanter early, you need a guard here and I think they'd find it hard to pass up Fredette, who they could use in the same mold that they used Kyle Korver.

13. Phoenix Suns - Jimmer Fredette
> If Utah picks him, the Suns organization will collectively cry. I don't know that Jimmer will be any better of a pro than JJ Redick was (though I hope he's better than Adam Morrison turned out to be). I believe he will have a tougher time than most think he will being more than one dimensional at the pro level. But if any place can make him work on his dribble penetration, it is in Phoenix. If the Jazz do snag him at 12, I expect Phoenix to take Motie here.

14. Houston Rockets - Alec Burks
> This will be another puzzling piece that could get shifted in a trade. The Rockets won't lose much in free agency because Yao isn't going anywhere. They could get a decent value from this pick. That said, if they keep it they have to be smart and pick up one of two guys still sitting around that shouldn't fall out of the lottery (even though wisdom says find a Yao replacement even if he is back).

15. Indiana Pacers - Markieff Morris
> The asthetically pleasing pick here won't be the best. Morris has good upside and has been doing himself favors to jump up most boards, though usually not this high. With Foster and McRoberts likely out in free agency, they need a consistent post to come in with Hansbrough. I like Tristan Thompson here, but I think he is more style over substance. Marshon Brooks is another option if they end up looking to replace TJ Ford.

16. Philadelphia 76ers - Tristan Thompson
> Did you know Tony Battie was even still in the league?! Easy way to replace him here if Thompson is still on the board.

17. New York Knicks - Chris Singleton
> Here is a tough gamble. Your role players could all be heading out the door, so maybe you need to replace them. Or perhaps you need an heir-apparent at the PG behind Chauncey Billups, but that all depends on how you feel about Toney Douglas' future or your ability to snag Deron Williams or Chris Paul next summer (pending the new CBA). But the fans of NYC are so used to dissapointment, they won't be surprised if nothing works out, so you have to take the best available role player here.

18. Washington Wizards - Marshon Brooks
> Assuming that they addressed little to help immediately with their lottery pick, you have to take the best playmaker here. Who that could be, is actually a toss up.

19. Charlotte Bobcats - Kenneth Faried
> I think this is a prime spot to actually take a big risk in a position where you don't have any standouts and the players you do have could be gone this summer or next. Faried can do a lot without looking like he is. Why not take the risk if you can.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves - Tyler Honeycutt
> Another pick I would trade. Why? Because they don't even really need the #2 pick when you compare it to the value they can get out of it and the depth they already have with a combo of Flynn, Rubio, Randolph, Beasley and Love. This team should be winning now and they aren't, so trade this pick for a role player somewhere else. If not, take Honeycutt because he can play 2-3 spots on the floor.

21. Portland Trailblazers - Darius Morris
> This is a team that proved they are nowhere near competing out West in the playoffs. They are old and need a young spark. I think they would be smart to package some expiring contracts like Camby and/or Andre Miller and try to sniff out a lottery pick. But assuming they do nothing there, they need to find help for Roy and Batum (if they keep him next summer) and that comes in the form of replacing Andre Miller as the point.

22. Denver Nuggets - Jordan Hamilton
> They had a lot of post-Carmelo luck, but it ran out quickly in the Wild West. It would be stupid to lose Wilson Chandler, Nene or JR Smith, but we have to assume that maybe Denver is trying to get out of that role of Western Conference thug, which would see Smith and Kenyon Martin not resigned. There are two players here, Hamilton and Tobias Harris, that could give them something they need, so it comes down to which they think will be more helpful.

23. Houston Rockets - Tobias Harris
> This pick is likely to be the best available player and Harris, the Tennessee combo forward, is the best I have left on my draft board at this point. He won't play much, but has strong athleticism and is as high as a top 15 pick some places. If he is really still available, you have to snag him.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder - Reggie Jackson
> They have the chance to lose just one player to free agency this year, so all this fast rising team needs is a potential replacement for Daquan Cook. As much as I'd try and keep Cook, Westbrook and Robinson have the point guard spot nailed down. I'd bring in a true PG that those two can mentor, but can also help mold into a combo guard. There are some good options sitting around here, but I don't see OKC bringing in Nolan Smith or Shelvin Mack just to sit them (something most late first round teams won't do and will cause those two to slip).

25. Boston Celtics - Kyle Singler
> Yeah, I am a little biased here, but I also can see that this would be the best pick for the Celtics. He is the type of blue color, get to the basket player that the Celtics are missing. He can come in for Paul Pierce and dribble-drive for a score or a kick out to Ray Allen, or sub him in for Ray and let him stand and pop three's. Singler is the missing piece to a puzzle that really only needs a player like him and another solid post that they can get with Shaq's contract money in free agency. He is the right piece to the puzzle if they (smartly) bring back Jeff Green, Delonte West, Glen Davis and Nenad Krstic. And if they don't bring those four back, then they need to reload their bench anyway and why not go with such a proven scorer?

26. Dallas Mavericks - Davis Bertans
> Because, why not?

27. New Jersey Nets - Shelvin Mack
> At the end of round one, its a crap shoot. The Nets need a more than servicable guard to help Deron Williams in 2011-2012 and replace Deron Williams in 2012-2013 should he decide to leave. That need will help either Mack or Nolan Smith.

28. Chicago Bulls - Nolan Smith
> For the Bulls, there isn't much work to do. With that said, their two end of the first round picks could go almost anywhere. They would love to take an athletic '3' right here and then have their pick of PG's at 30, but if the Nets truly do snag Mack, then they can't gamble on losing Nolan Smith at 29. For that reason and that reason only, I think they take Smith here to come in as a Derrick Rose backup.

29. San Antonio Spurs - Malcolm Lee
> All the Spurs really need here is a smart shooting two-guard to replace the collective strengths of Chris Quinn and Steve Novak. They are still a year away from really needing to start a rebuild, so I don't think they will do a lot of shopping here. Lee is a stretch this high, but the best person to fill that spot.

30. Chicago Bulls - Jeremy Tyler
> As seen in their playoff loss to Miami, the biggest weakness for Chicago is in the post when Carlos Boozer isn't active. And although I am sure they would like to take JuJuan Johnson here, it's just not the most intelligent move as far as filling any holes. They take a gamble on Tyler here and hope that his game is close to NBA ready after leaving high school early to play overseas.

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Just outside of Round One and their best fits early in round 2:

Justin Harper (Richmond) - A good fit for Miami at #31 because of the maturity in his game.

Nikola Vucevic (USC) - He is a hard player to read and could up as a gamble in the opening round, but I see him falling, possibly to Sacramento at #35.

Chandler Parsons (Florida) - Parsons could do a lot for Miami (#31) in filling in behind Udonis Haslem, but if they go with Harper, he would be great pickings for Washington at #34.

JuJuan Johnson (Purdue) - If Cleveland could nab him at #32, it would be the best fit for both and the Cavs would have a steady core of rookies with Irving, Kanter and Johnson.

Jimmy Butler (Marquette) - If Detroit (at #33) needs to bolster their guards, this would best.

Norris Cole (Cleveland State) - The Nets (#36) need Cole if they pass on Mack or Smith in the opening round, if not, I'd see the undersized small conference player ending up in Sacramento (#35) or with the Clippers (#37).

----
Other players of interest and their best fits:

Josh Selby (Kansas): He is a mid-second rounder because of his undersized frame and his underdeveloped game. If he wasn't a freshman, he'd be right there with Mack, Smith and Cole as a late first round, early second round selection. Look for him at #41 to the Lakers or #42 to Indiana.

Keith Benson (Oakland): He stayed his senior season, maybe to his detriment after expecting to be a first rounder last year. He didn't develop his game more, but he added experience with another run into the NCAA Tournament. I see him going to the Lakers at #46, but if not he will drop to Memphis at #49.

David Lighty (Ohio State): The kid is going to get drafted and end up in the D-League, but it comes down to which team thinks he can help them in the future after he takes his game from being so one dimensional. I think Denver at #52 or Boston at #55 take that chance.

LaceDarius Dunn (Baylor): Dunn is too good of a creator to not go, but his 6'4'', 188 pound frame does not do him any favors. I see Sacramento rounding out the draft with him at #60.

Jacob Pullen (Kansas State): Here is a chilling reality that spells the difference between the college game and the pro game: Pullen won't get drafted. The lack of a need of point men and the fact that Smith, Mack and Cole have more calm games, plus his lack of size all work out of his favor. Pullen will luck out though because every other player in this catagory is likely D-League bound and I think he will end up with a contract and playing more than he would in the NBA if he gets drafted. I would love to see Boston bring him in if they don't resign Delonte West, but I also think he'd be a good fit in Portland to replace the aged Andre Miller. And you never know, those teams pick at #55 and #51 respectively.

E'twaun Moore (Purdue): He is off most draft boards, but too athletic to ignore. I think the Lakers may take a chance with him at #56, and if not, he will likely still be there for them at #58.

Jamie Skeen (VCU): His name value and what he added to VCU's improbable Final Four run should get him drafted. He is a straight the NBDL kind of guy, so it just comes down to which team wants to add him, knowing they won't use him for a year or two. I wouldn't be surprised to see Orlando do so at #53.

> Resolutions for (other people in) 2011

7. Can they dance?
IPFW is having a great year in mens basketball, so let's see them go dancing. It will be hard with Oakland in league, but this is by far the most realistic chance Dane Fife and company have had.

6. Can I get Michael Bisping a title shot?
Look, Bisping is a solid two wins away from being back at the top of the heap that he is the 'gatekeeper' to. He'll beat Jorge Rivera (lotta good that'll do in the rankings), so then it just depends on who wins the 'Fight Wanderlei Silva' sweepstakes. Chris Leben probably lost his pull to get Wandi by losing to start the year, but now Brian Stann wants in. I say give Stann the old man and then have the winner face Bisping for a title shot. Or, if Chael Sonnen is gonna get screwed out of a shot (see #2), then let's have Stann/Wandi and Bisping/Sonnen in a little playoff for the Anderson Silva/Vitor Belfort winner. If you did this, imagine the ratings for The Ultimate Fighter with Bisping and Sonnen jawing back and forth as coaches.

5. Beat LA....but BEAT the HEAT first.
I am all about the Celtics winning banner 18 this year, but also I could deal with several other teams betting the Lakers in the final too. But alas, they aren't the true evil this year. Someone, anyone, has to eliminate the Heat. If it comes down finally to LeBron vs. Kobe, I may have to (ugh) find myself cheering for the purple and gold.

4. Is He finally done?!
Brett Favre, please go away! Don't come back later in the season for some 2-12 team...just go away.

3. Hey, um....TCU wants a college football playoff
I don't even know who is going to win the National Title in a week or so (my money, if I had any, would be on Oregon), but here we are again with another year where there is more than one undefeated team at the end of the season. Wake up already.

2. Chael Sonnen gets his rematch with Anderson Silva
I have little hope that Vitor Belfort will be the one to out duel The Spider when they meet next month. So my hope is that once Chael Sonnen gets through with his BS suspension, that Dana White and the powers that be in the UFC give him his due second shot. BJ Penn and Gray Maynard got immediate rematches and they didn't dominate a champion like Sonnen did, let alone a champ who is one of the most dominant ever.

1. Coach K breaks Bobby Knight's All-Time Win Record
Lets face it, this is bound to happen and if the start align right and the Blue Devils stay healthy, it could happen before Spring is fully in bloom and with a 5th title for the Duke boys.

>UFC 121 Quick Picks

Past Predictions (UFC 100-102, 104-111, 113-114, 117-120, UFC on VERSUS 1-2): 104-91-2
Last Card: 4-5-1

Prelims
Jon Madsen def. Gilbert Yvel
Chris Camozzi def. Dong Yi Yang
Paul Taylor def. Sam Stout
Mike Guymon def. Daniel Roberts

Spike TV Prelims
Patrick Cote def. Tom Lawlor
Court McGee def. Ryan Jensen

Main Card
Gabriel Gonzaga def. Brendan Schaub
Tito Ortiz def. Matt Hamill
Diego Sanchez def. Paulo Thiago
Jake Shields def. Martin Kampmann
Cain Velasquez def. Brock Lesnar to become NEW UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION

>UFC 120 Predictions

Past Predictions (UFC 100-102, 104-111, 113-114, 117-119, UFC on VERSUS 1-2): 100-86-1
Last Card: 5-2

Prelims
Cyrille Diabate def. Alexander Gustaffson by Split Decision
Rob Broughton def. Vinicius Kappke de Quieroz by 2nd Round Submission
Paul Sass def. Mark Hoslt by Unanimous Decision
Spencer Fisher def. Kurt Warburton by 2nd Round TKO
James McSweeney def. Fabio Maldonado by 3rd Round TKO

Main Card
James Wilks def. Claude Patrick by Unanimous Decision
Cheick Kongo def. Travis Browne by 2nd Round KO
John Hathaway def. Mike Pyle by 1st Round Submission
Dan Hardy def. Carlos Condit by Unanimous Decision
Michael Bisping def. Yoshihiro Akiyama by 2nd Round TKO

> UFC 118 Quick Picks

Past Predictions (UFC 100-102, 104-111, 113-114, 117, UFC on VERSUS 1-2): 89-80-1
Last Card: 7-4

PRELIMS
Mike Pierce def. Amilcar Alves
Nick Osipczak def. Greg Soto
Dan Miller def. John Salter

SPIKE PRELIMS
Andre Winner def. Nik Lentz
Gabe Ruediger def. Joe Lauzon

MAIN CARD
Nate Diaz def. Marcus Davis
Kenny Florian def. Gray Maynard
Demian Maia def. Mario Miranda
Randy Couture def. James Toney
Frankie Edgar def. BJ Penn to retain UFC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

>UFC 117 Predictions

Past Predictions (UFC 100-102, 104-111, 113-114, UFC on VERSUS 1-2): 82-76-1
Last Card: 7-3

PRELIMS
Ben Saunders vs. Dennis Hallman
Hallman has crazy experience, but Saunders is just plain crazy. A guy like Hallman is either going to charge forward or lay back too much. He's experienced and that means he will be able to pick apart most fighters. But who can predict Ben Saunders? In his two losses, people got lucky. Crazy + Reach = Victory number 9.
Saunders by 2nd Round TKO

Stefan Struve vs. Christian Morecraft
Struve's reach isn't as much as you'd think it would be cracked up to be. Morecraft is not slouch either in height and his weight, record and mystery are enough to outdo Struve's hesitance.
Morecraft by Unanimous Decision

Johny Hendricks vs. Charlie Brenneman
Such an even matchup where the fighters have a combined 20-1 record. This could be a match that helps shape the future of the welterweight division long after the clog at the top straightens itself out and the mid-level guys (Hughes, Serra, etc.) finally retire. This could be the fight of the night and that is saying alot.
Hendricks by 3rd Round TKO

Tim Boestch vs. Todd Brown
Not much here, I just don't think Brown has the ability to outduel his counterpart. Sadly, Boestch needs sometone to push him.
Boestch by Unanimous Decision

Phil Davis vs. Rodney Wallace
This is the fight that will really show that Wallace's potential time has already passed him by. He's powerful, but Davis is closer to today's prototypical light heavyweight. He stays unbeaten.
Davis by 1st Round Submission

Dustin Hazelett vs. Rick Story
Quick one here again. Story lucked out against Nick Osipczak and Hazelett won't give him the time of day to sneak by.
Hazelett by 1st Round KO

MAIN CARD
Junior Dos Santos vs. Roy Nelson
All conventional wisdom says that Junior Dos Santos will knock the shit out of Big Country. He has powered his weigh through opponents and became the heavyweight division's next big thing (no easy task among the world of next big things: Lesnar, Carwin, Duffee, Velasquez). Then a funny thing happened: along came Roy Nelson, the former IFL champion, and all conventional wisdom has gone away. Conventional wisdom said that Kimbo Slice would pound this fat guys' face in. Conventional wisdom said that the younger, far more athletic Brendan Schaub would just go to town on Nelson. Conventional wisdom even said that Stefan Struve's reach was gonna be way too much. But somehow, Roy Nelson has been plowing through the UFC. I've picked against Roy...and I've been wrong...somehow. I like JDS, I really do, and I expect good things to happen in his career.
Nelson by 2nd Round KO

Matt Hughes vs. Ricardo Almeida
I hate Matt Hughes. But really, why are the experts picking him to lose. The UFC considers this guy the greatest welterweight of all-time. I rank him 2nd. Either way, Ricardo Almeida isn't in the top 15 ever, if even close to that.
Hughes by Ground and Pound in 3rd Round

Clay Guida vs. Rafael Dos Anjos
If Frankie Edgar gets back in the cage and beats BJ Penn again, then I see Penn going up to welterweight. Why is that important here? Because Clay Guida has always had a ceiling in the division. But with the likes of Diego Sanchez, Nate Diaz and perhaps Penn moving on up, Guida has the chance of a lifetime if he can win here. The man can fight with inspiration and fire that I don't know if Dos Anjos has.
Guida by Split Decision

Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves
The rematch. The same result. Alves, I believe, has rushed back too much from the injuries, failed to make weight at the official weigh-ins and is just not mentally in this from what I saw at the press conference.
Fitch by 1st Round TKO

UFC Middleweight Championship
Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen
The consensus is that Sonnen's only hope is to take down and lay on top of Silva five times. But Sonnen has noted that he plans to swing at Silva. So here is how it really will go: Sonnen tries to swing in round one, but realizes he can't swing with The Spider. The round is close, could go either way. In round two, he goes with the lay and pray theory, takes Anderson down a minute in and lays there for the 10-9. In round three, Anderson gets restless and makes Chael look like Forrest Griffin. All that, or Anderson actually nuts up and knocks Chael out in round one. My heart and my cheers Saturday night go to Chael Sonnen, who I enjoy as a fighter and as a comedy act...but my brains stills works and so do Anderson Silva's limbs.
Silva by 3rd Round TKO to RETAIN the UFC Middleweight Championship